San Antonio Sports & Entertainment District
San Antonio Sports & Entertainment District
San Antonio is developing a plan for a new Sports and Entertainment District. The district would bring together event spaces, parks, and other facilities in the downtown area. It is meant to support the city’s economy, improve public spaces, and offer new opportunities for residents and visitors.
The district would be located in the heart of downtown and include places for sports, music, food, and community events.
Projects
The plan includes eight major projects over the next decade:
- Expanding the Henry B. González Convention Center
- Building a new Convention Center hotel with a new UTSA School of Hospitality
- Constructing a land bridge to connect neighborhoods to downtown
- Upgrading the Alamodome
- Turning the John Wood Courthouse into a live event venue
- Creating mixed-use development with shops and restaurants
- Improving infrastructure like streets, utilities, and parks
- Building a new arena for the San Antonio Spurs
Funding
Most of the funding for these projects would come from tourism-related taxes. These include:
- The Hotel Occupancy Tax, which is paid by hotel guests
- The Rental Car Tax, paid by people renting cars
- State sales taxes collected from retail and restaurant purchases at hotels
Money from property taxes paid by private developers and contributions from the San Antonio Spurs would also help pay for the projects. Additionally, a new Project Finance Zone (PFZ) would be used to help pay for some of the projects.
A PFZ is a 3-mile area around a special project where the State sets aside extra hotel tax money for 30 years. This lets the City use that money, instead of it going to the State, to improve the project.
The City is updating its PFZ to focus on the Convention Center Complex. This update follows state law and allows the City to use state funds to expand the Convention Center, upgrade the Alamodome, and maybe build a new arena for the Spurs.
Local property taxes from residents would only be used to pay for basic infrastructure improvements, like roads, utilities, and traffic systems—and only if approved by voters. Even if voters approve, the property tax rate would not go up.
Private companies and partnerships are expected to cover a major share of the costs, especially for projects like the new hotel.
Stay Connected
The Sports and Entertainment District is being planned with community input. Residents will have a chance to share their ideas and priorities as the work moves forward. Sign up to receive updates about town halls and other opportunities to stay involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most funding would come from tourism-related taxes, like the Hotel Occupancy Tax, Rental Car Tax, and sales taxes from hotel purchases. Developer contributions and support from the Spurs would also help.
No. Property taxes from residents would not fund the projects, except for basic infrastructure improvements—and only if voters approve. The property tax rate would not increase.
Other cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin are expanding their convention centers. Without an expansion, San Antonio would lose major conventions, jobs, and business opportunities.
Private companies would pay for the design, construction, and operation of the hotel. Local taxpayers would not fund it.
The Alamodome is one of the largest venues of its kind in Texas and hosts major events like the Valero Alamo Bowl, UTSA Football, music concerts like Elton John, Pink, and Shakira, and more recently the NCAA 2025 Men’s Final Four. The Final Four alone had a $440 million economic impact for our community. Upgrades would help San Antonio continue to continue to host large concerts and sporting events and pursue other large events like more Final Fours, College Football Playoffs, and international soccer.
The land bridge would reconnect neighborhoods to downtown, making it easier for people to reach jobs, events, and other opportunities.
It would be turned into a smaller venue for live events and performances, offering a new entertainment space downtown and alleviating stress in the Alamodome. Currently, there are 45 events that have capacity of 5,000 people or less. By relocating these events to a new venue, it frees up space for events at the Alamodome. Also, an analysis of the theater and event venue in San Antonio shows there is a gap in venues with 3,000 to 5,000 seats.
A new arena is being considered. It would be funded by tourism-related taxes, private developers, and the Spurs—not by raising property taxes for residents.
Yes. Community feedback is a key part of the process. Any use of local property tax dollars for infrastructure would require voter approval.